From Akharas to Arenas: How Kho Kho Gained Popularity on the Global Scale

For generations, Kho Kho was a familiar sight in Indian schools and villages. On dusty playgrounds, barefoot children chased each other around wooden poles, crouching and sprinting in seamless coordination. It was fast, tactical, and deeply rooted in local culture, but also quietly overlooked outside the subcontinent. In just a few years, however, this sport has undergone a remarkable transformation from a nostalgic pastime to a modern, broadcast-ready sport with international recognition. 

One can trace its origins back to ancient times, with references even in the Mahabharata. What began as a traditional game, once known as “Rathera,” took its modern shape in 1914 in Pune, where its rules were first codified. Over the decades, it has gradually expanded beyond India, reaching audiences in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa through the Indian diaspora.

Today, it is played in over 55 countries, with an ambitious roadmap aiming for inclusion in the Asian Games by 2030 and even the Olympics by 2032. This push has brought Kho Kho to the forefront of global sporting conversations.

The turning point came when India hosted the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025. For the first time, teams marched in under their national flags, anthems played, and global audiences tuned in. By the end of the week-long tournament, India’s men’s team had outclassed Nepal 54–36, securing the final, match-clinching point courtesy of Mehul Taak.

Meanwhile, the women’s team sealed a dominant 78–40 victory against the same opponent, with B. Chaithra, who effectively closed out the game. This double triumph resonated beyond the medal count; it signified Kho Kho’s emergence as an international sport.

Asia First, Then the World

Kho Kho’s globalisation didn’t happen overnight. It began with smaller steps across Asia. The Asian Kho Kho Championship, first introduced as a regional tournament, served as a critical testing ground. The 2023 edition in Tamulpur, Assam, saw India’s men and women clinch titles against Nepal, highlighting a budding cross-border rivalry and offering a blueprint for larger events.

These tournaments did more than crown winners. They standardised rules, refined officiating, and gave athletes exposure to different playing styles. Importantly, they helped federations in India and abroad prove to governments and sponsors that kho kho could sustain international interest. Asia became the sport’s launchpad, and once regional tournaments gained traction, the dream of a World Cup didn’t seem far-fetched.

A Homegrown Makeover

Still, for a sport to be “global,” it must first become commercially viable at home. That’s where Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) changed the narrative. Launched in 2022, the league offered a slick, television-friendly product with franchise owners, modern graphics, and star athletes. It's matches condensed Kho Kho’s raw energy into a digestible, high-voltage format that fits primetime television slots.

UKK attracted millions of viewers across India, with social media buzzing about dives, pole dodges, and last-second turnarounds. Importantly, the league professionalised the sport: athletes signed contracts, received structured training, and benefited from physiotherapy and sports science. This raised the bar for India’s national teams, who would soon face international rivals.

Behind the highlights and television deals, much of Kho Kho’s global expansion has been powered by governance. The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) worked closely with the International Kho Kho Federation to streamline scheduling, ensure uniform rules, and build pathways for new member nations. By pushing for international sanctioning and aligning with global sporting norms, they created the infrastructure needed for events like the World Cup.

Women at the Forefront

One of the most refreshing aspects of Kho Kho’s globalisation is that it has not sidelined women. The women’s game has been treated with equal seriousness, both in domestic leagues and on the international stage. The World Cup victory in 2025, where India’s women triumphed with flair and authority, cemented the image of kho kho as a truly inclusive sport. Young girls across India, and increasingly abroad, can now see role models sprinting, diving, and celebrating victories on equal footing with men.

The sport is now carried by inspiring athletes who are becoming household names. Among women, veteran Ashwani Kumar Sharma continues to shape the sport with decades of experience. In the women’s category, captain Priyanka Ingle has been celebrated for her commanding presence, and Nasreen Shaikh, an Arjuna Awardee, remains one of the most respected figures in the game. 

A Sprint Into the Future

Yet amid the expansion, Kho Kho must not lose its essence. Part of its beauty lies in its simplicity, barefoot children chasing each other in village grounds, fueled by instinct and agility rather than expensive equipment. Commercial success and global visibility are important, but they should not erase the sport’s grassroots accessibility.

From village maidans to primetime television, from regional tournaments to the World Cup podium, Kho Kho’s journey has been extraordinary. The double victory of India’s women and men in 2025 was more than just a celebration of athletic excellence; it was a statement that this sport belongs on the world stage.